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asaph95's review against another edition
2.0
I received this eARC from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. And honest I will be.
This book will be published September 29th 2015
I liked it. I didn't love it. I wasn't scared by it, I wasn't intrigued by the storyline and to be honest, I much preferred the backstory/1950's part of the book than the present day story. I had a few issues with the characters and the plot alike.
Full review on my blog;
http://originalbooker.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/the-lost-girl-rl-stine.html
This book will be published September 29th 2015
I liked it. I didn't love it. I wasn't scared by it, I wasn't intrigued by the storyline and to be honest, I much preferred the backstory/1950's part of the book than the present day story. I had a few issues with the characters and the plot alike.
Full review on my blog;
http://originalbooker.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/the-lost-girl-rl-stine.html
bmanley1101's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
0.25
bmanley1101's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
annashiv's review against another edition
3.0
Just finished the first book and I'm still not sure how I feel about the end. It was properly set up as best as I can think, and it justified a certain author choice I was questioning the point of up until the end, but it also didn't quite satisfy. Maybe that's the price for that kind of twist - you just aren't as satisfied with a full story but are supposed to appreciate the gimmick.
Anyway, I know the Fear Street doesn't have the best rep, but it's pretty nostalgic to me. I picked this up for that reason, but I was surprised to find it was written and published recently rather than just being a re-release. To be honest, I didn't like the modern touches with mentions of Netflix and FaceTime and the like. I kinda feel like Shadyside should sort of be out of time, always stuck in the 80's or whatever. I think that kind of setting is more interesting for horror. But maybe that's just my nostalgia talking.
The writing is fine, even good at points. Stine does suspense very well. It's just the characters that are maybe a little too one-noted? There were a few times where I thought people don't talk like that, but I didn't find it as bad as some other reviews have suggested. Then again, I'm not a teenage anymore either.
***
And now I've finished the second book. I liked the ending a lot better in this one, even if I kind of saw it coming. It did still surprise me and had a lot of interesting elements. However, leading up to the ending was a bit painful. Again, the modern things put me off and pulled me out of the story, but mainly I was bothered by the events leading up to the end, because it just seemed to not make sense. There were a lot of problems with this story both plot-wise and character-wise. The biggest thing that bothered me was the fire batons. Those aren't really that dangerous. You can clamp onto one of those ends for a second and be just fine and it doesn't burn that hot. If it were as dangerous as all that, there's no way high school kids would be allowed anywhere near it. Anyway, it was just things like that and the fact that the mother didn't do something that I think was played down a lot because the plot called for it.
Still, overall, I enjoyed reading these. It was nostalgic, despite it being modernized. If you know what you're getting into, that these are meant more to be about the twist and gimmicks and suspense, then by all means read it. Just don't expect any likable characters or for them to do logical things or talk normally or rationally. It's fine for what it is, just know it's not trying to do the same things as most of the newer published stuff. I guess that's actually part of why I like it. I don't have to take it too seriously and just see what interesting things Stine comes up with, because he does come up with cool ideas. Just maybe not the greatest execution.
Anyway, I know the Fear Street doesn't have the best rep, but it's pretty nostalgic to me. I picked this up for that reason, but I was surprised to find it was written and published recently rather than just being a re-release. To be honest, I didn't like the modern touches with mentions of Netflix and FaceTime and the like. I kinda feel like Shadyside should sort of be out of time, always stuck in the 80's or whatever. I think that kind of setting is more interesting for horror. But maybe that's just my nostalgia talking.
The writing is fine, even good at points. Stine does suspense very well. It's just the characters that are maybe a little too one-noted? There were a few times where I thought people don't talk like that, but I didn't find it as bad as some other reviews have suggested. Then again, I'm not a teenage anymore either.
***
And now I've finished the second book. I liked the ending a lot better in this one, even if I kind of saw it coming. It did still surprise me and had a lot of interesting elements. However, leading up to the ending was a bit painful. Again, the modern things put me off and pulled me out of the story, but mainly I was bothered by the events leading up to the end, because it just seemed to not make sense. There were a lot of problems with this story both plot-wise and character-wise. The biggest thing that bothered me was the fire batons. Those aren't really that dangerous. You can clamp onto one of those ends for a second and be just fine and it doesn't burn that hot. If it were as dangerous as all that, there's no way high school kids would be allowed anywhere near it. Anyway, it was just things like that and the fact that the mother didn't do something that I think was played down a lot because the plot called for it.
Still, overall, I enjoyed reading these. It was nostalgic, despite it being modernized. If you know what you're getting into, that these are meant more to be about the twist and gimmicks and suspense, then by all means read it. Just don't expect any likable characters or for them to do logical things or talk normally or rationally. It's fine for what it is, just know it's not trying to do the same things as most of the newer published stuff. I guess that's actually part of why I like it. I don't have to take it too seriously and just see what interesting things Stine comes up with, because he does come up with cool ideas. Just maybe not the greatest execution.
mehsi's review against another edition
4.0
I am so delighted that R.L. Stine decided to make new Fear Street books. I haven't read all of them (they aren't easy to find here), but these I can find easily.
However, while this book was fantastic it was also a bit too Goosebumpy. This due to the actual perpetrator (which I won't spoil). I was hoping it was a different kind of horror. More like a human making sure people are afraid/scared. The whole Goosebumpy feeling was also due to the ending. Which was a typical R.L. Stine one, and one I had hoped wouldn't be in the book. This ending and also a few other smaller things, made me give this book a 4 star instead of the 5 stars that I thought the start was.
Our main character was decent, but I found her spoiled. Especially at the beginning of the book. I hated her attitude, and what she caused. Yes, I know, the accident was just that, an accident. But I am sure, if she had just stayed home, or if she at least went with her parents willingly, and didn't shout, that things would have ended differently. I was kind of happy to see she was blaming herself. I know this might sound cruel, but it is the truth and this how I feel about it.
At times I felt that she was a bit to gullible. Like with the babysitting part? Why is she not thinking it is weird that she is getting paid so much? 300 dollar a week? I am sorry, but shouldn't there be little alarm bells ringing just at the mention of that?
With all the things happening, at times I didn't know what was true and what was not. Did the monster really exist? Or was it just a figment of imagination or a head trauma and was our main character the culprit and did she just forget about it.
She wasn't always nice, especially towards her parents. I know, she is a teenager, but your mom is just trying to help you. She is just worried about you. Can't you see? Can't you see that she is lonely due to the things that happened and that is worried that she might lose you too?
I didn't particularly like our main character's friends. This for various reasons, and since I don't want to spoil stuff, I can't really go further on the topic.
The story was pretty great, there were many moments that creeped me out (but, like I said, at times I wasn't sure if it was a delusion caused by head trauma or something really real). I felt sorry for our main character, that no one believed her (though it is kind of logical that they don't, considering what happened to her and how imaginary everything sounds), but I liked that she kept pushing through, kept trying to figure things out.
As the story progressed and we gained more facts, I slowly started seeing what was happening and why it was happening. It was all very interesting and it kept me captivated to the book.
Also, since I love covers, I just have to give bonus points to the cover. It is delightfully creepy and it fits the story perfectly.
I do hope that R.L. Stine will continue writing these Fear Street Novels and I hope the next one will be less Goosebumpy and more normal horror and suspense.
All in all, I would still recommend this one. Though I wouldn't recommend reading these at night, you might just not be able to sleep that much.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
However, while this book was fantastic it was also a bit too Goosebumpy. This due to the actual perpetrator (which I won't spoil). I was hoping it was a different kind of horror. More like a human making sure people are afraid/scared. The whole Goosebumpy feeling was also due to the ending. Which was a typical R.L. Stine one, and one I had hoped wouldn't be in the book. This ending and also a few other smaller things, made me give this book a 4 star instead of the 5 stars that I thought the start was.
Our main character was decent, but I found her spoiled. Especially at the beginning of the book. I hated her attitude, and what she caused. Yes, I know, the accident was just that, an accident. But I am sure, if she had just stayed home, or if she at least went with her parents willingly, and didn't shout, that things would have ended differently. I was kind of happy to see she was blaming herself. I know this might sound cruel, but it is the truth and this how I feel about it.
At times I felt that she was a bit to gullible. Like with the babysitting part? Why is she not thinking it is weird that she is getting paid so much? 300 dollar a week? I am sorry, but shouldn't there be little alarm bells ringing just at the mention of that?
With all the things happening, at times I didn't know what was true and what was not. Did the monster really exist? Or was it just a figment of imagination or a head trauma and was our main character the culprit and did she just forget about it.
She wasn't always nice, especially towards her parents. I know, she is a teenager, but your mom is just trying to help you. She is just worried about you. Can't you see? Can't you see that she is lonely due to the things that happened and that is worried that she might lose you too?
I didn't particularly like our main character's friends. This for various reasons, and since I don't want to spoil stuff, I can't really go further on the topic.
The story was pretty great, there were many moments that creeped me out (but, like I said, at times I wasn't sure if it was a delusion caused by head trauma or something really real). I felt sorry for our main character, that no one believed her (though it is kind of logical that they don't, considering what happened to her and how imaginary everything sounds), but I liked that she kept pushing through, kept trying to figure things out.
As the story progressed and we gained more facts, I slowly started seeing what was happening and why it was happening. It was all very interesting and it kept me captivated to the book.
Also, since I love covers, I just have to give bonus points to the cover. It is delightfully creepy and it fits the story perfectly.
I do hope that R.L. Stine will continue writing these Fear Street Novels and I hope the next one will be less Goosebumpy and more normal horror and suspense.
All in all, I would still recommend this one. Though I wouldn't recommend reading these at night, you might just not be able to sleep that much.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
Can You Keep a Secret? Is the latest Fear Street novel by R.L. Stine. Emmy, Eddie, and their friends (Danny, Riley, Callie, and Roxie) decide to party out in Fear Street Woods. Emmy and Eddie sneak off from the group. Eddie is going to carve their initials in a tree. While over there they find money stashed in the tree (turns out to be hollow). Before they can decide what to do, the rest of the group finds them (and the money). They agree to take the money (several of their families are experiencing money problems) and hide it in a safe place (in the pet cemetery). But when one of them needs the money, they find it is gone. Who took it and why? Each teen turns on the other. Then they discover someone is following them. Could it be the owner of the money? Are any of them safe?
Emmy is having these strange dreams about wolves and they coincide with attacks in the area. Her Aunt Marta from Prague comes to visit and tries to help her. Aunt Marta remembers Emmy being bitten by a dog while visiting in Prague when she was a child. What happened to Emmy? Is she a wolf?
Can You Keep a Secret? by R.L. Stine was not the scary book I was looking forward to reading. I found it predictable especially the wolf subplot. I knew the twist before it was revealed. One thing that I did not enjoy was the drama between the sisters (Emmy and her younger sister, Sophie). I give Can You Keep a Secret? 2.75 out of 5 stars. The book would more suitable for young adults (tweens) except for the gore and violence (geared toward older readers). This book was not what I was expecting from a Fear Street novel and R.L. Stine. Can You Keep a Secret? has sibling jealously (and rivalry), romance between teenagers, jealousy, and greed. With the right writer, they make a compelling novel. Unfortunately, they just did not come together in this book. I found Can You Keep a Secret? to be a very contrived novel.
I received a complimentary copy of Can You Keep a Secret? From NetGalley in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.
Emmy is having these strange dreams about wolves and they coincide with attacks in the area. Her Aunt Marta from Prague comes to visit and tries to help her. Aunt Marta remembers Emmy being bitten by a dog while visiting in Prague when she was a child. What happened to Emmy? Is she a wolf?
Can You Keep a Secret? by R.L. Stine was not the scary book I was looking forward to reading. I found it predictable especially the wolf subplot. I knew the twist before it was revealed. One thing that I did not enjoy was the drama between the sisters (Emmy and her younger sister, Sophie). I give Can You Keep a Secret? 2.75 out of 5 stars. The book would more suitable for young adults (tweens) except for the gore and violence (geared toward older readers). This book was not what I was expecting from a Fear Street novel and R.L. Stine. Can You Keep a Secret? has sibling jealously (and rivalry), romance between teenagers, jealousy, and greed. With the right writer, they make a compelling novel. Unfortunately, they just did not come together in this book. I found Can You Keep a Secret? to be a very contrived novel.
I received a complimentary copy of Can You Keep a Secret? From NetGalley in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.
mamaztheguru's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
This is your run-of-the-mill young adult fiction book with a little conflict and very mild "terror". The few plot twists were predicted, likely because I'm older reading a book meant for younger audiences, but still fun to read through!!
burialshroud's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0